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New Runner with Achy Hips

Just wondering if it's just me or is it typical for a first time runner to experience achy hips. I just started training for a 1/2 Marathon a week ago today. A couple of days ago my hips started aching. My right more than the left. I was wondering if this is typical with a new runner or have I injured myself?

I am still a newbie, but I also had hip pain when I first started running. I ended up looking on line for stretches for my hips. It seemed to make a big difference to me when I did the stretches before running. I also noticed that after a couple of months of running I don't even notice it anymore. Good luck on your training!

Hi Tina! Welcome to dailymile! Stretching helps as does weight training doing abductor, adductor exercises as well as squats and lunges. This is not uncommon, but you definitely need to pay attention. Massages also help. If you strengthen your glutes, that helps. Good fitting shoes are a must. Try to slow down a bit for your longer runs and see if it helps! Your time for your first half marathon is not a big deal at all - you will get to know your body and know more for the next one!!!!

When I first started doing longer mileage I had some hip pain as well, and generally always on only one side, too. I think it was due to muscle imbalance (one side being stronger than the other) causing I.T. band strain. Focusing on taking much shorter strides helped me (less bouncing and side-to-side hip motion). As I got accustomed to longer mileage the hip bothered me less and less, so I think over time my muscles learned to cooperate with me better.

you're not the only one. ;) A few things that worked for me.
1. don't stretch your hips. it just loosens them up and you don't need hip flexibility to run.
2. Do hip strength exercises. Any and all. Tighten them hips up.
3. big steps with heal striking is harder on the hips. go to Jog.FM or download cadenceFM app and run to a playlist of 180bpm. Upping your cadence to 180 steps per minute will get your legs under you, be more efficient, and drastically reduce the shock on your hips. Feels strange at first... but trust me.